Author
Topic: Yamaha Bolt Cafe (Read 1184 times)

This one is for you D the D, although I think I just read you aren't into Cafe's. Yamaha is a few years late to the party, but I feel like they've been really trying lately with lots of new models. Before I link, I'll say I sat on a Bolt this weekend and in person they look impressive. I'd definitely take one over a Sportster, if I were to go that route. Cool bike.

I can't get past the belt drive. It's so prominent, and for what?. Call me an old fart but, belt drives are the answer to the question no one asked. This too, hopefully will pass, like the rubber cam belt.

I can't get past the belt drive. It's so prominent, and for what?. Call me an old fart but, belt drives are the answer to the question no one asked. This too, hopefully will pass, like the rubber cam belt.

It's just another way of doing it. I'm sure someone around 1890 asked "Why a chain? Darn newfangled gadgets. The leather belt is perfectly good!"

The downside is that they are ugly and stick out too far. the Buell Blast was the ultimate in ugly. On a big Hog they aren't too noticeable, but smaller bikes aren't done any justice by them. They also got to eat a lot more power than a good chain. And you have to disassemble the rear end of the bike to change them! Bare

I kind of like the look on some bikes, it's not too prominent on the Bolt for my tastes. Actually I like the look of the belt better than a chain on this one. Really, how often are we changing sprockets and ratios on the street bike unless someone is a fiddly diddler who's never happy with what he's got? I don't like blonds, but I won't call your wife ugly. She's just not my cup of tea.

One of my best friends told me that my wife is not ugly.So,now there's two of us who feel that way.I like the Bolt and the Sporty.I like the Thruxton better than either and it will not be bought either.Dammit.

As far as belt drives go i had one on my 440 Kaw, quiet, reliable, and maintenance free. Downsides? I dunno.Robert.

They're long lasting, don't stretch as much as a chain, quiet, and don't spew oil all over the place. Pretty good trade-offs for the one weakness that I know of: You can't use them for off road riding. Get a piece of gravel between the toothed pulley and the belt and it'll snap the belt.

They're long lasting, don't stretch as much as a chain, quiet, and don't spew oil all over the place. Pretty good trade-offs for the one weakness that I know of: You can't use them for off road riding. Get a piece of gravel between the toothed pulley and the belt and it'll snap the belt. Cheers,Dan K.

I had a pebble embedded in the middle of the drive belt of my Harley for the longest time. The mechanics said to leave it as it didn't affect the belt's durability. They were right.

Was that pebble to close to a vital organ to remove? Bike evolution being the way it is, dictates that if the belt was truly better all bikes would have it. How many are sporting the belt? Mostly cruisers? If you are the type of rider that may dissolve in oil it's a must have.

Was that pebble to close to a vital organ to remove? Bike evolution being the way it is, dictates that if the belt was truly better all bikes would have it. How many are sporting the belt? Mostly cruisers? If you are the type of rider that may dissolve in oil it's a must have.

If belt drives WEREN'T as good as everyone says they are, then why are belt drives popping up on all the latest bicycles? There are hundreds of them out there!